The Start

Cold Turkey Vape Shop was founded in 2014 by a father and son duo who shared a personal connection to their mission. The father, a seasoned real-estate agent with over 40 years of cigarette smoking experience, had struggled to quit smoking for decades. It wasn’t until he discovered vaping that he finally found success in breaking free from cigarettes. Realizing how effective vaping was and spotting a gap in the market, they decided to take action.Their first location wasn’t a traditional retail space—it was the father’s real-estate office, which they quickly converted into one of Winnipeg’s earliest vape shops. From day one, they were more than just a shop. They became educators, holding cloud competitions, extensive sample bars and sharing the benefits of vaping with others who, like the father, were looking for a way to quit smoking.Cold Turkey was among the first in Winnipeg to champion the benefits of vaping, developing a community and helping people make healthier choices.